About us
The research group Histories of Art, Architecture and Visual Culture (VISU) offers a platform for fundamental research on the history and theory of art, architecture and visual culture from the early modern period up to the present. We study not only the artistic and architectural practice, the material object and the spatial environment, but also the broader cultural, historical and societal context, which often relates to current themes such as new media, visualisation of conflict and war, urbanisation, sustainability, multiculturality and globalisation. Key questions concern the circulation of images, artefacts, practices and knowledge across boundaries. These cross-overs are understood as mutual interactions between the different arts and as exchanges between different cultures, traditions, regions or periods.
Recent News
VISU at the Renaissance Society of America conference 2025
We are excited to share that Pieter Martens, Caterina Cardamone and Alicia Rojas Costa hosted a panel "Images of Flanders in Renaissance Florence" at the Renaissance Society of America (RSA) conference on Saturday 22 March 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Call for papers: Jaarcongres Werkgroep Zeventiende Eeuw Familie, verwantschap en dynastie
Call for papers voor Jaarcongres Werkgroep Zeventiende Eeuw Familie, september 2025. Dit jaarcongres richt zich op dynastieke systemen en praktijken.
"Every Film is Political"
On 2 March, the Oscars will be awarded, and according to the British newspaper The Guardian, this year’s nominations are the most political ever. Katarzyna Ruchel-Stockmans is also pleasantly surprised by the selection.
Events
Practical info-Conference: 'Visualising Design' at Design History Society Annual Conference
Lisa Marie Sneijder will be presenting her research at the Design History Society conference on 6 September 2025 on the transition of decorative arts museums to design museums through poster and catalogue design.
Practical info-Lecture: La mobilité au temps de l’Art Déco et ses implications sur l’architecture et l’urbanisme
Lecture given by Prof. Christophe Loir and Dr. Tom Packet on 16 September 2025 on the evolution of mobility during the interwar period as an essential factor in understanding Art Deco.
Practical info-Panel: "Lucie Kamuswekera - Geborduurd verleden, verbeelde toekomst in Congo"
Op 19 juli 2025 om 13u zal VISU-lid Brenda Bikoko deelnemen aan een panelgesprek waarin ze het werk van Lucie Kamuswekera binnen het hedendaags kunstcanon plaatst en geeft ze een eigen interpretatie over enkele historische gebeurtenissen belicht in enkele van Kamuswekera's kunstwerken.
